Letters: North County, May 2, 2013

Country club issue continues

On April 25, Kirk Effinger wrote a commentary about the fight to save the Escondido Country Club from developers (“Really? A crusade to save the Escondido Country Club?, North County Opinion). He wrote, “In a city where a library branch remains closed, streets continue to be filled with potholes, and graffiti abounds, it amazes me that residents of the Escondido Country Club area think the most pressing issue requiring a citizen’s initiative is one that would mandate keeping a golf course open in their community.”

I don’t live in that area of Escondido. However, I will stand side by side with the residents of that community in their fight. Since the closing of the library, we in Escondido have started to work together to stop the efforts to destroy our way of life. The water park is currently a dead issue. We defeated the chamber bailout and regardless of what Mayor Abed says, it was going to be a bailout.

Mr. Effinger resides in San Marcos, a city that also has some potholes and graffiti. I suggest he work on problems in San Marcos before he cleans up Escondido.

Thomas S. Cowan Jr.

Escondido

The people’s house

Recently, my wife and I toured the many historical sites in Washington, D.C. Among the places we visited was a memorial in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt, where my attention was drawn to his quote about the White House. It reads, “I never forget that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I have been given their trust.”

That’s right! The White House belongs to the American people! It made me wonder, if the American people own the White House, why aren’t we allowed to tour it? Please don’t tell me it is from lack of taxpayers’ money! I’m not buying that feeble excuse. Are you?

Carl Jones

Oceanside

Vatican changes

I have a speculation as to why Pope Benedict retired: The Vatican was immersed in the proverbial can of worms. Some cardinals want to micromanage the U.S. nuns in the [Leadership Conference of Women Religious]. More women are earning graduate theology degrees from Catholic universities in preparation for professional service to the church; other women are taking the initiative for women’s ordination.

At least two retired American cardinals may have faced secular criminal prosecution, absent the statute of limitations, for having protected pedophile priests. A monsignor has been convicted of abetting such activity. Yet not a single bishop has lost his job. The old-boys club seems intent on remaining singularly aged and singularly male. Some laity have been openly restive, many of them voting with their feet.

Pope Francis has shown some significant signs of wanting to change things along with disappointing indications of perpetuating the status quo.

I pray he has the wisdom and courage to initiate this change now, not in the 500 years it took for the astronomy department to recognize Galileo was correct.

Mike Magee

Carlsbad

Protecting profits

Our spineless Congress allows the NRA to write the laws to protect both terrorists and criminals at the expense of our entire nation and our children’s lives, all to protect their $12 billion-a-year profits.

They prevent and deny our nation’s ability to track explosive powders and ammunition when used for illegal acts, restrict background checks for all gun sales, allow the sale of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, [and opposed] a database of gun and ammunition purchases and [other] common-sense solutions to decrease violence. They protect terrorists and criminals while allowing our children to be used as live target practice. Congress allowed the gun manufacturers to both write the laws and define what is or is not covered.

Jerry Mozina

Vista

Trouble in Texas

So, the governor of Texas comes to California, trying to recruit businesses to move to Texas, due to their low tax rate, and their lack of state regulations and oversight. A West, Texas, fertilizer plant goes ka-boom, losing [14] lives. And if OSHA had been there even once, they would have shut them down. Unfortunately, it takes a worker, not afraid of losing his job, to call and complain. If you’re not in a union, and have no protection, then that, for all intents and purposes, is never going to happen.

So, let’s review: In Texas, businesses don’t have to worry about unions. There are no state taxes. And there is no regulatory oversight. What can we conclude regarding the state of Texas recruiting our businesses? You’d have to have a total disregard for worker safety, and only be interested in making a buck, to move to such a backward state!